1,000 Hour Service Interval Guide for a Komatsu PC200LC Excavator – Part 4

Written by Luis Montes Updated On January 10, 2025

In the previous post, we serviced the hydraulic oil filters and refilled the swing gearbox oil.

Part 4 will cover how to change the final drive oil and replace the engine and cabin air filters on the Komatsu PC200LC excavator.

We also have a video version on the Tekamo HD YouTube channel. Check it out.

Change the Final Drive Oil

Before draining the final drive, line it up to the correct draining position, which is the top mark at the top and the groove representing the oil level as horizontally as possible.

A 1/2″ breaker bar fits nicely into the plug’s holes for this particular machine.

Before draining the final drive, check for buildup pressure by breaking loose just one of the fill plugs. You’ll know because of the hissing sound.

Buildup pressure could be a sign of two issues:

• The gearbox is over full.
• A sealing problem on the travel motor is causing an oil leak into the travel gearbox.

Remove the other plugs to drain the oil.

What we found when servicing the final drive was:

• A bit of pressure in the final drive but no oil flow.
• A fine silvery sludge on the plug magnets due to regular wear.
• A very black oil—overused oil.

In this case, we didn’t find magnet chunks, anything pouring, or any reason to alarm about disassembling the final drive further.

Once the oil drains completely, reinstall the drain plug and refill with SAE30 oil.

Finish by reinstalling the fill plug with the 1/2″ breaker bar. Just snug the plugs. There’s no need to overtighten the plugs.

Visit the Fortis HD tools website section for top-tier ratchets and breaker bars to efficiently tackle heavy-duty tasks such as servicing excavators, skid steers, and compact track loaders.

Replace the Engine and Cabin Air Filters

Reinstall the plug in the swing gearbox drain line and fill the swing machinery case until you reach the top mark.

The engine filter is in the left-side double-door compartment.

Take out the filter housing cap by releasing its four latches. Take the cap out and remove only the outer filter.

Don´t remove the inner filter yet. Leave it on while cleaning the housing to avoid debris and contaminants from entering the system.

Take your time cleaning the inside of the housing. It will extend the lifespan of the new filters. Don’t mind if you can’t clean the outer side of the housing thoroughly—it won’t hinder performance.

Install the new filters, making sure they seat and seal correctly.

Wipe the dust ejector valve and reinstall the cap, making sure the dust ejector goes to the bottom.

Let’s finish this fourth part by changing the cabin air filter.

For the Komatsu PC200LC-8 excavator, you’ll need the ignition key to open the filter panel. Just take the old one out and install the new one. The shallower side of the filter faces out (check the image below).

Next Post

In this series’s next and final post, we’ll change the main pump oil and do the grease points to complete the 1,000-hour service interval on the Komatsu PC200LC excavator.

If you don’t have the time to perform the service yourself or want to enroll in a preventative maintenance program for your heavy equipment, contact Tekamo HD to schedule a heavy-duty mechanic.